Iran, IAEA commit to stronger relationship

TEHRAN, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday they agreed to work together to resolve past and present concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

"It was agreed that Iran and the IAEA will cooperate further with respect to verification activities to be undertaken by the IAEA to resolve all present and past issues," a joint statement read. "It is foreseen that Iran's cooperation will include providing the IAEA with timely information about its nuclear facilities and in regard to the implementation of transparency measures."

Inspectors with the IAEA visited with Iranian leaders Monday in Tehran. In past reports, the IAEA said there may be a military dimension to certain aspects of Iran's nuclear program, an allegation the Iranian government denies.

Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium, a process its adversaries fear is a path to a nuclear weapon.

The joint statement said both sides agreed to "strengthen their cooperation and dialogue aimed at ensuring the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program."

The statement Monday followed two days of talks between Iran, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany in Geneva last week.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who last week flew to Geneva to help with the talks, was quoted Monday by the BBC as saying Iran was unable to sign off on a deal "at that particular moment [in Geneva]." He said a deal could be reached in the coming months "that meets everyone's standards."

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